NBS chief expects stronger China-US economic cooperation

BEIJING — A senior Chinese official on Jan 20 voiced expectations for stronger economic cooperation between China and the United States after US President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

China and the United States have the world’s largest-scale bilateral trade and investment cooperation, which benefits both nations, Ning Jizhe, head of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), told reporters ahead of Trump’s inauguration scheduled for Jan 20.

“I personally believe President-elect Trump will consider issues from the perspective of developing mutually beneficial bilateral ties and advance the long-lasting cooperation between the two major countries,” Ning said. “I have hopes for that.”

Sino-US trade volume reached $519.6 billion in 2016 while mutual investment exceeded $170 billion by the end of 2016, according to Ministry of Commerce figures.

Ning said China’s economy will continue to maintain a medium-high growth rate after the new US administration takes the reins.

China’s economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2016 came in at 6.8 percent, accelerating from the 6.7 percent in the third quarter, putting the annual growth rate at 6.7 percent, NBS data showed on Jan 20.